Local DMDK cadres brought them lunch

Relief evades thousands of homeless
29 Nov 2008

CHENNAI: As many as 15,000 people living along the Adyar river were evacuated till

Friday evening. Many of them, however, were not fortunate
enough to get the food
supplied by the Chennai Corporation. Several areas either received no food or got very little.

The situation was particularly grave in Dr Khan Nagar, Nesapakkam, where more than 14 streets were submerged. The food brought in by the corporation staff at 11 am was inadequate and was sent back by the residents.

Dr Khan Nagar was trapped between the swollen Adyar and rainwater gushing in from Valasaravakkam, Alwar Thiru Nagar, Ramavaram, Rayalar Nagar and Nesapakkam. “Hundreds of people were waiting for food since morning. But the civic officials were nowhere in sight to enumerate the affected people and so the food supply was minimal. It is sheer disregard for the people’s welfare. Will the same yardstick be applied to more affluent residents?” said Kumar, a resident. Later, the locals pooled in money and had a community lunch.

The scene was no different in neighbouring Soolaipallam. About 150 families of Tamarai Vinayagam Street, affected by rains, were taken to the corporation school in Nesapakkam. Residents of adjoining areas like Nagathamman Koil Street, most of them daily wagers whose houses were also affected, chose to stay back. “We do not want to go to the corporation school where our friends haven’t got lunch,” said Nagavalli, a resident. Local DMDK cadres brought them lunch.

In neighbouring Annai Sathya Nagar, corporation staff left a small food vessel at a shop on Venkatraman Salai. But that was just enough for 10 families. Then, local leaders entered the scene and cooked food for residents of the entire locality. Later, residents staying at the Nesapakkam school also came in with food.

Inmates of the Government Model HSS in Saidapet complained that they didn’t get anything since morning. “It is 1 pm, but we haven’t got breakfast till now. The officials are neither giving us food nor allowing us to cook on the school campus,” said Arumugam, a resident. Some residents took refuge in the new bus terminus at Saidapet.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com